After a non-conference schedule that hasn't featured one nationally ranked opponent, the Texas men's basketball faces their toughest challenge of the season when they travel to Chapel Hill to play No. 6 North Carolina.
The Longhorns have beaten the Tar Heels in each of the last two seasons, but the vast majority of the Texas players responsible -- Avery Bradley, Jordan Hamilton, Dexter Pittman, Damion James, Tristan Thompson and Cory Joseph -- are now playing in the NBA.
In contrast, UNC returns a line-up featuring a senior, two juniors and two sophomores, all of whom are legitimate NBA prospects.
In the front-court, an undersized Texas group led by seniors Alexis Wangmene and Clint Chapman will try to hold off a Tar Heel front-line that goes 7'0 (Tyler Zeller), 6'10 (John Henson) and 6'8 (Harrison Barnes).
The Longhorns best chance at pulling off what would be a monumental upset comes in the back-court, where they still have J'Covan Brown, the team's leading scorer and a junior who has beaten UNC twice.
This could be a national coming out party for Texas freshman Myck Kabongo, a highly-touted 6'1 point guard whose play has improved as the season has come on.
The 6:00 PM game will be televised nationally by ESPN2.
For the latest news and notes on Texas basketball, head on over to Burnt Orange Nation and for more on the Tar Heels, look to Carolina March.